WASHINGTON — Getting someone the latest and greatest in tech will certainly earn you cool points this season.
But with all the choices and the jargon, getting the right gizmo could take a lot of mental fortitude for those lacking tech savvy or find electronics outright intimidating. It’s no wonder we all go out and get gift cards.
Thankfully, Brian Cooley, editor at large at CNET.com, is here to assist. He shared a few of this year’s top tech gift ideas with WTOP:
4K TVs
Cooley says 4K TVs are ideal as a family gift and a good buy — one that can be had for $1,500 or less.
“A 4K TV is a TV that has four times the dots that make up the picture, four times the pixels, of the current HD TV you have now,” Cooley says.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean your picture will be four-times as good. You might notice a sharper picture, but these TVs have to be fed 4K signals. That said, a 4K TV is able to “bridge the gap” by upscaling lower HD signals.
Video streaming boxes from Roku and Amazon are good, affordable complements, Cooley says.
Microsoft Surface Pro 4
Cooley called the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 a “bona fide contender” that’s “making some real noise” in the field of the portable computers. “That’s the only tablet that’s an actual personal computer,” Cooley says. The device costs $890.
Apple’s iPad Pro
The device boasts a big screen at 13 inches and an innovative pencil. The price ranged from $800 to $840 online. “It’s really ideal for someone who’s creative,” Cooley says.
A Lenovo Yoga 900
This tablet-laptop mashup is a worthwhile blend, Cooley says. The screen can completely be swivelled around to face outward — maybe that’s where the “yoga” reference comes from. Online prices for this device ranged from $1,200 to 1,350.
Samsung Gear VR
Give the gift of virtual reality with an affordable headset that turns a smartphone into a new world. “You’re giving someone a taste of the future,” Cooley says. According to CNET.com, the device costs $100.
DxO One
This is an iPhone add-on for photo enthusiasts aspires to make the phone’s camera even better. It retails for $600.
For the full list, visit CNET.com/holiday-gift-guide.
